This is for "general" electrical discussions. Audio, security, remote start, and power accessories should go here, since they don't seem to fit anywhere else. Not for diesel-specific (like glow systems), or gasoline-specific (like ignition systems) topics.

I'm done with the first phase of adding some gauges. My dad said I'm turning this one into a "wonder of science"

So far I have wired in an ammeter, volt meter, tach.In the end over the course of time I will be adding oil temp, oil pressure, water temp (an actual reading as opposed to an arbitrary point on a gauge), air filter restriction, possibly fuel filter restriction

The ammeter is the shunt type placed in series directly from the alternator to the rest of the truck. I figure they use them in aerospace so they are good enough here. Very little resistance. Only a 75mv drop at 100 amps. Tops I'd use half that if the battery was a little flat and had everything going.

I've been actually making a real harness for everything as opposed to just laying wire and zip ties. I'm not happy with the junction coming off the shunt and alternator. And will clean that up soon

I needed to add a fuse box for the ammeter and volt meter. It is wise to fuse both sides of this ammeter, it is a shunt ammeter so if one side shorts there is a possibility the other side can still short out should something come loose on that end immediately after. I plan on adding a couple things that will use relays which that box has spots for.

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Everything on full blast. I compared it with my DMM and it is accurate.

Thanks, Paul. This truck I recently obtained. It's a great runner. Though ugly on the outside mechanically it's clean and has a good frame. My LS 4x4 is the one with the rebuilt motor. Need to finally get everything installed.

Thanks Mark. School for sure has gotten me interested in not only doing things really the right way, but also just the numbers and data I will see. It will certainly be interesting! I'll be working more on it this weekend. So expect a few updates. I'll be making the panel out of a small sheet of fairly stiff steel and fabricating some brackets to mount in properly. I may even use bushings to isolate these gauges from vibrations. I will need to get a good hole saw set to accommodate everything